eFM News

≡ Over Half A Million S. Korean Students Take College Entrance Exam

More than 548,000 students nationwide are currently taking the 2020 College Scholastic Ability Test, or Suneung. The exam kicked off at 8:40 a.m. at 1,185 designated testing centers and will end promptly at 5:40 p.m. It consists of five sections covering Korean language, mathematics, English, Korean history and subordinate subjects and second foreign languages. From 1:05 p.m., students will undertake the English listening portion for 35 minutes, during which time heavy vehicles will be rerouted away from testing venues while nearby airports temporarily halt takeoffs and landings. According to data, 394,024 high school students applied to take the Suneung this year, marking the first time their numbers have dropped below 400,000 since 1993, when the standardized test was implemented.■[2019.11.14]

≡ US Defense Secretary Open To Altering Military Drills To Boost N. Korea Talks

[Anchor] U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says he is open to adjusting military exercises in South Korea if it helps diplomatic efforts with North Korea. He revealed this stance ahead of his arrival in Seoul for annual defense talks with Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo. Julie Sohn reports. [Reporter] Speaking to reporters on his way to Seoul, Esper said the U.S. will adjust its posture on military exercises, either more or less, depending on what diplomacy may require. He explained the changes would not hurt combat preparedness and that it would be done in consultation with the South Korean government. [Clip: Esper] "I think we have to be open to all those things that empower and enable our diplomats to sit down with the North Koreans, alongside with our South Korean partners, and move the ball forward to a negotiated settlement of the issues that we put on the table." Esper's comments come ahead of a planned air exercise between the allies later this month that was downsized amid protests from North Korea, which has long-viewed such drills as rehearsals for war. Pyongyang has still threatened to retaliate if the drills go ahead as planned. Esper also addressed the North's repeated military provocations, including recent missile tests. [Clip: Esper] "We take them very seriously and we watch them very closely, but we're also not going to overreact and do something that, for example, could close the door to diplomacy." The defense secretary said he also takes seriously Pyongyang's end-of-year deadline for Washington to come up with an acceptable proposal in nuclear negotiations. During his meetings in Seoul, Esper is expected to express concern about South Korea's decision to terminate a military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan that is set to end on November 23. Julie Sohn, eFM News.■[2019.11.14]

≡ Trump Says He Will Decide On Auto Tariffs 'Soon'

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will make a decision soon on whether to impose tariffs on imported cars and auto parts. During a meeting with the Turkish president at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said he had been fully briefed on the matter. The remarks come a day ahead of his deadline to decide whether to go ahead with imposing tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported autos and parts on national security grounds. In a proclamation in May, Trump directed the U.S. trade representative to pursue negotiations for up to 180 days on cars imported from the European Union, Japan and any other country deemed necessary. South Korea has lobbied hard to win an exemption from any tariffs, citing its renegotiated free trade deal with the U.S. Trump said he had "considered" the FTA, but stopped short of sparing South Korea from future tariffs.■ [2019.11.14]

≡ Defense Lab Explosion Kills At Least One, Injures Several

An explosion at a state-run defense research institute has left a 30-year-old researcher dead and several others injured. Fire authorities said the blast occurred in a lab at the Agency for Defense Development in Daejeon on Wednesday around 4:20 pm. At the time of the incident, authorities said researchers had been conducting tests with a fuel for a small rocket propellant. Lim Seong-taek, an official from the institute, said the testing was only aimed at measuring the flow of nitromethane, stressing the researchers did not ignite the fuel. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.■ [2019.11.14]

≡ Seoul City Opens Winter Disaster Safety Headquarters

Seoul city is bracing for severe winter weather and the various accidents and natural disasters that are common during the season. The Seoul Metropolitan Government says it has begun running its 24-hour Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters to ensure the safety of local citizens. It will operate until March next year. In preparation for heavy snow and freezing temperatures, the city has also secured equipment and other materials for de-icing measures, including snow plows, to clear roads and walkways. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon will also be heading a separate headquarters on air quality as part of efforts to combat high concentrations of fine dust.■ [2019.11.14]